<p>Most parents &amp; childminders&nbsp;do not feel comfortable letting their children play outside due to fear about potential risks from traffic, weather and strangers.</p>

<p>Early Childhood Ireland held it&#39;s annual conference on Saturday and highlighted a recent study that showed, while&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">UN rights for prisoners provide for one hour outdoors every day,</span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;more than three-quarters of I</span>rish children get less than that.</p>

<p>&quot;There&#39;s no doubt that children are spending far more time indoors on electronic devices,&quot; Dr Brennan told <a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prisoners-34635725.html">The Irish Independent.</a></p>

<p>Dr. Brennan advised that children need to be able to run and play outside.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>&quot;They&#39;re always under the gaze of an adult,&quot; she said. &quot;But we are advocating for the freedom of children to be outdoors with their friends. Children need to spend more time outdoors and in nature.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The <a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/early-childhood-conference-hears-that-parents-think-children-shouldnt-play-outside-729951.html">Irish Examiner </a>noted the comments from&nbsp;Educational Consultant Claire Warden who&nbsp;said&nbsp;the majority of children need to be spending more time in the fresh air.</p>

<p>She said: &quot;So you&#39;ve got to ask yourself, why are we saying that children can&#39;t go outside when other people, whether it be prisoners or people in residential homes, they are all allowed to go outside.</p>
